PAGASA: Be wary of unpredictable weather

CEBU, Philippines - With the “remains” of the reported low pressure area still threatens to develop into a tropical depression, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Service Administration (PAGASA) warned the public to maintain caution on the possibility of more rains if the low pressure gains more power while at open sea.

Quilie Tarrigosa of PAGASA told The FREEMAN that the remains of the low pressure area, which threatens to affect the entire Visayas is at open sea, 480 km East of Southern Mindanao as of yesterday afternoon.

While at sea, the low pressure area can still gain power overnight, depending on concurrent atmospheric conditions. 

Tarrigosa, nevertheless, said the low pressure is already close to land and could not build up enough power to be a cyclone still, it can develop into a tropical depression.

“Naa gyud siya’y posibilidad, apan gamay ra kaayo nga mahimong tropical storm kumpara sa mahimong tropical depression lang,” Tarrigosa said.

Should the low pressure develops into a tropical depression, the same will bring more rain clouds.

“Usually west up ang direction sa low pressure, may posibilidad gyud nga makaapekto sa Cebu,” he said.

PAGASA predicts that if the low pressure will not dissolve, the same might develop into a tropical depression by late afternoon today or by Wednesday.

On Saturday, PAGASA chief Osaca Tabada presented during the meeting of the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (DRRMC) forecasts from Japan, Hong Kong and South Korea, which showed a low pressure moving to Mindanao.

Tabada said during the meeting that the low pressure upon reaching Mindanao can develop into a full-blown cyclone.

The low pressure area, fortunately, showed signs of slowing down, depleting the chances of ever developing into a tropical cyclone.

Tabada said that due to unexpected weather, rainfall have reached 380 milliliters way over the average of 109 milliliter for the month of January.

However, local government units from Cebu and Mandaue are not taking any chances. As of yesterday, storm-related preparations were in place

Cebu City, Disaster Coordinating Council Alvin Santillan told The FREEMAN that they are also monitoring the low pressure area threatening the Visayas.

With the current unexpected weather, Santillan said they have acquired the services of more personnel for their 27-hour operations. From five men, they now have 20 personnel. Santillan assured that CCDCC is “more than usual” alert for any untoward incident brought about by the unpredictable weather. 

Santillan said it is very difficult to predict the weather, thus, the best thing to do is simply to be prepared.

“Di lang unta ang gobyerno ang mangandam, apil unta ang mga tawo… it’s better we collectively prepare for any worse scenario,” Santillan said.

He again urged families living in landslide or flood- prone areas to voluntary evacuate to prevent any bigger incidents or casualties during heavy rains.

Barangay Clusters

Meanwhile, barangays in Mandaue City have been grouped into clusters to make response and rescue faster during calamities, such as last week’s unexpected flooding.

The city’s 27 barangays have been clustered into five - north cluster, northeast cluster, west cluster, southeast cluster and south cluster.

The city’s disaster coordinating council came up with the strategy after city officials realized there were not enough people to tap for rescue at the height of the flood last Tuesday.

The council also decided to have five tanods from each barangay be trained on rescue by the Bureau of Fire Protection and the Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation (ERUF).

Mandaue Mayor Jonas Cortes also directed the barangay captains to hold clean-up drives starting today.

At present, the 119 illegal settlers living along the Mahiga creek have been sent with a notice to vacate. City officials will also talk to them for possible financial assistance.

The flood last Tuesday badly affected barangays Guizo, Subangdaku, Basak and Tipolo where floodwater reached up to the chest.

Governor Gwendolyn Garcia herself called on members of DRRMC to be alert during heavy rains.

The Cebu Contractors Association has committed to have their equipment ready for response in instances of landslides and floods.

Garcia also issued an executive order directing all local government units in the province to actively promote and participate in community defense disaster risk reduction and management trainings.

The training is to be spearheaded by the 7th Regional Community Defense Group in coordination with the Office of Civil Defense-7. — Ryan Christopher J. Sorote, Gregg M. Rubio, and Flor Z. Perolina/JMO (FREEMAN NEWS)